Page 164 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Dragaxlov is my birthright, my heritage, and I am ready to claim it. I will walk this new path. I, Gustazlion Herodis Duonavaar Dragaxlov, accept your benevolent offer.

I will pay a proper visit to Ravenshadow Citadel during court this evening. I am ready—eager to learn from you and the other Grand Rulers, to absorb all the teachings and partake in all the trainings. To follow in your footsteps, hoping that in time, I will prove myself worthy of the Grand Crown.

From the hands of Herodis Dragaxlov.

Emeriel sniffled, smiling as she wiped the tears gathering in her eyes. “I love this so much for you, my dear friend.”

Folding the letter with care, she placed it on the desk. She wanted to be there to welcome Herodis when he arrived, so she needed to finish all her evening errands early to make that possible.

“Oh! I need to get Amie. Let’s go shop for the new garden tools while we still have the light.” With that, she hurried from the study, sending word ahead for her Amie to be called.

***

Emeriel emerged from the Royal Residence, dressed in full formal attire—her regal silks draping elegantly, her bodyguards close behind as she made her way toward the slave quarters. The maids she’d sent to Amie had returned empty-handed. Amie wasn’t in her chambers, nor was she present at any of her assigned posts.

Even the woman dispatched to question Madam Livia returned with little information. According to the head maid, she and Amie had parted ways that morning after collecting herbs together.

Concern growing, Emeriel searched through Frostfall herself, her steps quickening with every unanswered question.

“Where could she be?” she muttered, worry creasing her brow as she rounded a corner.

A young slave girl approached hesitantly, her cheeks stained with dried tears, eyes swollen and red.

“Good day, Your Highness. I—”

Emeriel stopped, her expression softening with concern. “What is your name?”

“Beliah, Your Highness.”

“What’s the matter, Beliah?”

“My friend... Amie. She—” the girl sniffled, voice breaking.

“Amie?” Emeriel asked quickly. “You know where she is?”

“She told me not to tell anyone but…”

“Do you haveanyidea where she might be?” Emeriel’s voice took on an edge. “Tell me everything.Now.”

Beliah swallowed hard. “After you gave the order placing her under your protection, everyone left her alone. But... there’s a slave master. His name is Kenta. He—he says he likes her. He brings her flowers sometimes, but then he grabs her, touches her roughly, even when she says no. Amie hated it. She finally worked up the courage to reject him two nights ago.”

Beliah wiped her face with both hands, choking back more tears. “A few hours ago, while we were out running errands, he sent two Urekai to come and get her.”

“Why did you keep this to yourself?” Emeriel demanded furiously. “Why tell no one?”

“She begged me not to. I’m sorry, Princess. I didn’t know what to do.”

Emeriel turned to her guards. “Who can take me to this slavemaster’s quarters?”

One stepped forward without hesitation and led her through the lower courtyards, down the narrow paths that wound toward the worker domains—the section of Ravenshadow Emeriel preferred to avoid.

The closer they got, the louder the sounds of barking orders and cracking whips. It stirred old memories—unwanted ones. Memories of three years past, when she too had walked these paths in bare feet, carrying buckets, shouted at by these same men.

Some of their faces she recognized. Slavemasters who had once ordered her about now dropped their gazes and bowed low as she passed, storming through with fire in her eyes. No one dared speak.

They reached Kenta’s quarters—a modest structure of stone and old wood. One of her guards moved to knock, but Emeriel didn’t wait. She shoved the door open and stepped inside.

Two Urekai males sat playing cards in the cramped sitting room. At the sound of the door slamming, they leaped to their feet, expressions turning to scowls—until they saw who it was.

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